The phrase “Dez caught it” is notorious among Dallas Cowboys fans, stemming from a contentious moment during the NFC Divisional Round on January 11, 2015. In a close match against the Green Bay Packers, Dez Bryant seemingly secured a crucial catch. The play, occurring on fourth-and-two with just over 4 minutes left and the Cowboys trailing 26-21, ended in controversy as the catch was ruled incomplete upon review, sparking widespread debate and disappointment as it dashed Dallas’ hopes for their first Super Bowl appearance since 1995.
The incident remains a touchy subject for many fans, though it recently resurfaced with a humorous twist. During the 2024 MLB All-Star Celebrity Softball Game, Bryant, playing as a catcher, successfully grabbed a tricky pop-up, prompting MLB to cheekily tweet that “Dez Bryant caught the ball this time.” This reference amused fans, marking the second instance Bryant was mentioned in baseball talks that week. The first involved Tampa Bay Rays infielder Jose Caballero and relief pitcher Pete Fairbanks, who playfully referenced Bryant after a game-winning play against the New York Yankees.
Back in the 2014 NFL season, the Cowboys had a strong run, finishing 12-4 largely due to DeMarco Murray’s standout performance as he led the league with 1,845 rushing yards and scored 13 touchdowns. Bryant also had an impressive season with 88 receptions for 1,320 yards and 16 touchdowns. Yet, their campaign ended in disappointment against Mike McCarthy’s Packers. Fast forward to 2024, and both Dez and McCarthy continue to be central figures in discussions about the Cowboys’ playoff misfortunes.
